24 Global scene Beyond The Bale AWI in Hong Kong Woolmark relaunched in Hong Kong HKRITA CEO Haider Barma (left) signs the MoU with AWI’s Jimmy Jackson in Hong Kong recently. T Hong Kong T research partner AWI is embarking on a two-year collaborative research program with a Hong Kong research institute that specialises in industry-oriented R&D he Hong Kong Research Institute of Textiles and Apparel (HKRITA) has been made an official research partner of the Australian wool industry. HKRITA recently signed a two-year Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with AWI to create a technology and research partnership. Established by the Innovation and Technology Commission (ITC) of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, HKRITA provides a one-stop service for applied research, technology transfer and commercialisation, and encourages the textiles and apparel industries in moving up the value chain. AWI’s general manager for product development and commercialisation Jimmy Jackson says HKRITA will be a valuable partner of the wool industry as it conducts industry-oriented research and development (R&D), and promotes technology transfer and commercialisation of research output. He believes this will enhance industry competitiveness and foster long-term technology development in the textile and apparel industry, much of which is based in Hong Kong and mainland China. “The centre aims to become a focal point for harnessing research expertise to address the technology challenge facing the textile and apparel industry,” Mr Jackson says. AWI will now participate in a collaborative research program with HKRITA, either by bringing its own intellectual property for further development or commercialisation, or contributing technical know-how to the projects. “AWI and HKRITA will maintain regular exchanges with each other through visits, seminars and ongoing communications. Joint working seminars will be held to identify research areas and design research projects for collaboration.” HKRITA, which is hosted by the Hong Kong Polytechnic University, has four focus areas for R&D: new materials and textiles, and apparel products; advanced textiles and clothing-production technologies; innovative design and evaluation technologies; and enhanced industrial systems and infrastructure. The aim of the centre is to help the textiles and apparel industry remain competitive and cutting-edge. More information: www.hkrita.com he Hong Kong apparel industry enjoyed a taste of Australian hospitality when AWI’s Greater China office hosted the relaunch of the Woolmark branding program. More than 160 guests attended the function at which the new licensee programs for Australian Merino™, Superior Merino™ and Superior Merino Blend™ brands were unveiled. The programs were rolled out globally earlier this year. AWI’s business development manager for Greater China Alex Lai says the event, which included Australian wine tastings, was well received by the industry. “The guests liked the concept of Woolmark accreditation and the Superior Merino™ concept, and they were keen to learn more about the schedule for implementation of the program and the costs involved,” he says. The Hong Kong event attracted wide representation from the textile industry, including buyers, staff from local brands, textile councils, key supply chain partners and current Woolmark licensees. “It was an important event in terms of networking and allowing guests to catch up on the latest industry news,” Mr Lai says. Similar launch events were also organised by AWI in the US, Japan, Korea and China, with future events planned for Europe. More information: merino.wool.com ú (Above) Pascal Senkoff and Jimmy Jackson (fourth and third from right) and the Hong Kong team. (Right) guests at the Hong Kong Woolmark relaunch. ú